Etihad Stadium match zone - Aguero takes sting out of Tevez buzz

Carlos Tevez's return to the City starting line-up sent a buzz round the ground, but the attention was soon back on their other stocky little Argentinian frontrunner.

Spotting a gap in West Brom’s defence, Sergio Aguero exploited it with a darting run and low shot that flew past Ben Foster’s right hand. Tevez was making his first start since September 21 and received a mixed reception when his name was read out before the start.

Start again: Carlos Tevez returned to the line-up for the first time since September

Long 90 minutes for Shane

Shane Long had the thankless task of taking on City’s defence unaided, as West Brom concentrated on containment. The futility of it dawned on him when he controlled a long ball, looked up and saw nothing but blue shirts.

The striker tumbled over a challenge in the hope of some respite from Kevin Friend, but the referee wasn’t buying it.

Precious Silva mettle

David
Silva was back in action, after knee and ankle problems, and almost
marked his return in style, after playing a one-two on the left of the
area and unleashing a fierce drive that brought the best out of keeper
Ben Foster. There was venom in the shot, and Foster reacted well.

Silva service: David Silva notched

Waving the white flag

City followers appear to have accepted their fate in the title race. The ground was virtually deserted when Joe Hart went through his pre-match warm-up, while, when the teams came out 45 minutes later, there were still empty seats dotted round a ground that has been used to ‘house full’ signs this season.

IN FOCUS

Mario Balotelli

Banned and possibly about to be binned, but fair play to City’s errant striker. Wearing a sheepskin coat to stay warm, he was all smiles as he took his place in an executive box to cheer on his team-mates.

Kevin Friend

Due to be fourth official, he was mysteriously promoted to the middle in place of Lee Mason, the ref who sent off QPR’s Shaun Derry at Manchester United. The FA wouldn’t tell City the reason.

Mike Summerbee

On fixture congestion, the former City great wrote in the match programme: ‘I don’t want to hear any club complaining about tiredness. Today’s stars are not playing in six inches of mud and trying to hoof a leather ball.’